Local SEO · Beginner

Local citation

A local citation is any online mention of a business's name, address and phone number, such as in a directory, map app, review site or local news. Consistent citations support local rankings.

By Thryv StudioUpdated

Category
Local SEO
Level
Beginner
Examples
Directories, map apps, review sites, associations
Quality over quantity
Relevant, trusted listings count most

What is a local citation?

Citations are listings of your business details on other sites: general directories, industry directories, map apps like Apple Maps and Bing Places, review sites and local chambers of commerce. They confirm your business exists where you say it does.

Best practices

  1. Be listed on the main platforms in your country and industry.
  2. Keep every listing's NAP identical.
  3. Remove duplicates and outdated listings.
  4. Prefer relevant, trusted sites over bulk directory submissions.

Frequently asked questions

Do citations still matter?

They matter less than reviews and your Business Profile, but inconsistent citations can still hold a business back, and AI assistants use these sources too.

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